The effect of including a 'psychooncological statement' in the discharge summary on patient-physician communication: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine whether the inclusion of a 'psychooncological statement' (PO-statement) in the discharge summary enhances patient-physician communication about psychosocial issues across the inpatient and outpatient sector.

Methods: A total of 1416 cancer patients were randomly assigned to the intervention (with PO-statement in the discharge summary) or control group (discharge summary without PO-statement). Shortly before discharge from the hospital (T1), patients from the intervention group were screened for psychosocial distress.

[Long-term survival of adult cancer patients from a psychosomatic perspective - literature review and consequences for future research].

Objectives: The increasing survival of cancer patients is the result of early detection, improved treatment, and demographic change. This poses urgent questions regarding the stresses and needs for care long-term survivors face.

Methods: A literature survey (PubMed, Scopus) was conducted based on all publications with a psychooncological background from 2004 to 2008 concerning long-term survivors.